After an overwhelming amount of support for the victims of a fire that displaced residents of nearly 100 units at a condo complex, the city of Prospect Heights ended its clothing drive Monday and asked those willing to donate money to the recovery effort instead.
"Thank you for your generosity but due to the tremendous outpouring of donations, we will no longer be able to accept clothing or other donated items," the city said in an emailed newsletter.
Instead, officials asked for online cash donations in three ways: to School District 21 (Katie Samsel Foundation) and School District 214 Wheeling High School, both to benefit impacted students, as well as to the local American Red Cross, which was helping in the relief effort after the fire last week.
The five-alarm fire started about 1:30 p.m. at a four-building complex in the 800 block of McIntosh Court in Prospect Heights, fire officials said. Flames spread to three of the buildings before it was brought under control by about 9 p.m.
Two people were injured in the blaze and the residents of nearly 100 units were displaced.
The cause of the massive fire did not appear to be criminal, fire officials said Friday.
